What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Modern democracies involves the different forms of power sharing which are given below with an example :
(1) Power sharing among different organs of government such as the legislature, executive and judiciary:
Horizontal distribution of power is done.
For example, in India Parliament enacts laws. Executive executes or implements them and the functioning of executive or laws made by the leg statues are checked by judiciary.
(2) Power sharing among governments at different levels :
There are governments at the National, State and Local levels.
Powers are divided among them. For example in India, Powers are divided between the Center and the States. There are three lists i.e., Union list, State list and Concurrent list. The residuary powers which are not included in the three lists are with the Central Government.
(3) Power sharing among different social groups :
Like in Belgium, Sometimes religious and linguistic groups share power where there is a “community government” which is elected by people belonging to a particular type of language community no matter where they live.
Such a government has power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.
(4) Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements : Sometimes power is shared by different political parties having different influences and ideologies. Such alliances form coalition governments.
Read the following passage, and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.
“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi, and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. The Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption, and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus the Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy."
The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non¬Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below? Power sharing:
A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C. delays decision making process
D. accommodates diversities
E. increases instability and divisiveness
F. promotes people’s participation in government
G. undermines the unity of a country
(a) | A | B | D | F |
---|---|---|---|---|
(b) | A | C | E | F |
(c) | A | B | D | G |
(d) | B | C | D | G |
State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power-sharing with an example from the Indian context. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Thomman – Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions.
Mattai – Power sharing is suited only for big countries that have regional divisions.
Ousep – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions.
Match List I (forms of power- sharing) with List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using codes given below the lists :
List I List II
(i) Power shared among different organs of government A. Community government
(ii) Power shared among governments at different levels B. Separation of Powers
(iii) Power shared by different social groups C. Coalition government
(iv) Power shared by two or more political parties D. Federal government
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
(a) | D | A | B | C |
(b) | B | C | D | A |
(c) | B | D | A | C |
(d) | C | D | A | B |
Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka :
A. In Belgium the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French speaking community.
B. In Sri Lanka the policies of the government ensured the dominance of the Sinhala speaking majority.
C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharingto protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
Which of the statements given are correct ?
(a) A, B, C and D
(b) A, B, and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D
Consider the following two statements on power-sharing and select the answer using codes given below:
A. Power sharing is good for democracy.
B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
Which of the statements are true and false?
(a) A is true but B is false
(b) Both A and B are true
(c) Both A and B are false
(d) A is false but B is true
In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?
State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Writing your own definition of a good democracy.
Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India:
Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.
Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.
Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?
What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Match List I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I List II
(i) Pressure group A. Narmada Bachao Andolan
(ii) Long-term movement B. Asom Gana Parishad
(iii) Single issue movement C. Women’s movement
(iv) Political party D. Fertiliser dealers, association
(a) D C A B
(b) B A D C
(c) C D B A
(d) B D C A
Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India:
Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.
Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence and select the right answers by using the code given below.
A. But all political expression of social divisions need not be always dangerous.
B. Social divisions of one kind or the other exist in most countries.
C. Parties try to win political support by appealing to social divisions.
D. Some social differences may result in social divisions.
(a) D, B, C, A (b) D, B, A, C (c) D, A, C, B (d) A, B, C, D
Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.
In the context of democracies, which of the following ideas is correct – democracies have successfully eliminated:
A. conflicts among people
B. economic inequalities among people
C. differences of opinion about how marginalised sections are to be treated
D. the idea of political inequality
Which among the following is the special feature that distinguishes a pressure group from a political party?
(a) Parties take political stances, while pressure groups do not bother about political issues.
(b) Pressure groups are confined to a few people, while parties involve larger number of people.
(c) Pressure groups do not seek to get into power, while political parties do.
(d) Pressure groups do not seek to mobilise people, while parties do.
Which among the following statements about India’s Constitution is wrong? It
(a) prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
(b) gives official status to one religion.
(c) provides to all individuals freedom to profess any religion.
(d) ensures equality of citizens within religious communities.
Match List I (organisations and struggles) with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I List II
1. Organisations that seek to promote A. Movement the interests of a particular section or group
2. Organisations that seek to promote B. Political parties common interest
3. Struggles launched for the resolution C. Sectional interest of a social problem with or without groups an organisational structure
4. Organisations that mobilise people D. Public interest with a view to win political power groups
(a) C D B A
(b) C D A B
(c) D C B A
(d) B C D A
What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?